BhimaShanker- Jyotirlinga in Shayadari Hills

Recently, I made a visit to holy place of Bhimashankar, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India located near Pune in Maharashtra. I will narrate a brief historical and religious significance of this holy place and how to reach this place from Mumbai based on my personal count.

Historically speaking, it is believed that this temple is located where Lord Shiva had killed a demon by name Bhima in a long drawn battle. On the request of other Gods, Lord Shiva made it as one of his abode.

It is believed that the sweat that poured forth from Lord Shiva's body after the battle formed the Bhimarathi River (Bhima).

More than a religious place, it is also a beautiful tourist place to visit as this place has in store lot of surprises in the sense that natural beauty, untouched by urban pandemonium and pollution welcome all.

How to reach there: Well there are two ways, one who loves trekking, can also go from Kalyan (a place in suburban Mumbai) to the hills of Shayadari to the hills where Bhimashankar is located. One can enjoy nature and beautiful scenic beauty through thick forests. There are professional groups and organizations which organize these trekking trips. This route is being used by local tribal people and still by some people located in nearby places especially youth.

With family and aged people, it is not advisable to visit this place through this route. Let us explore other ways to visit this place.

One can start from Mumbai to Pune by either train or bus. Start early, I will suggest, go by train as in between Mumbai to Pune, some breath-taking and beautiful places like lonavala, kandala etc, may be seen where small waterfalls and riverside could be seen.

After reaching to Pune, one should stay nearby Shivaji Nagar, having its own railway station and Local Bus Stand and many hotels. Do not opt for lounges as they are not good enough and sometimes some of them may not be that safe.

It is advisable to start early in the morning from Shivaji Nagar Local Bus Stand by taking direct bus for Bhimashankar (prefer ST buses only). Take 5:30 am bus, it will take 5to 6 hours (though the distance is only 160 kms as there is ghat road).

Puja in the Temple: One can have Darsan of Lord Shiva or there are priests, which perform puja (prayers) and one can have Abhishekam (a kind of prayer offered to Lord Shiva) by paying Rs. 500.In this Puja one can sit inside the Sanctum sanctorum refers to the "garbhagriha" and can even hug Lingam out of reverence . There is a Shani Temple just outside and in front of Lord Shiva's Temple.

Tourist paradise: Hill top where Lord Shiva is presiding deity along with a temple of Kamalaja, an incarnation of Goddess Pravathi. It is also having natural beauty and offers a good paradise for nature lovers, trekkers, jungle lovers and bird watchers. It is recommended to visit the place for at least for 2 days to enjoy the nature at it best. Therefore, the best seasons to go to Bhimashankar are monsoon and

Winter.

Coming back to Mumbai: While coming back from Bhimashankar to Pune, it is advisable to take direct bus to Mumbai from Pune bus stand near to Pune railway station and one can come back to Mumbai in the evening itself . Here, it is better to opt for Volvo buses plying between Pune and Mumbai in every hour or so. It takes 3 hours to reach Vasi (new Mumbai). One can even book online tickets for Volvo buses and could avoid long queue and last minute glitches and get down at Vasi/ Dadar in Mumbai.

At Last Monsoon has arrived in Mumbai.

Monsoon means rainy season in Indian subcontinent and usually, after hitting Mainland India at Kerala (Southern Coast) on 01 June of every year, it start its journey towards rest of the country. It reaches Mumbai usually on 07 June of every year. This year it is before time both in Kerala where rain started two days before i.e., 29 May 2011 and yesterday(02 June 2011) in Mumbai.

Monsoon rains are important not only for Indian agriculture as most of the areas in India are still rainfed (depends on rain for cultivation of crops) but also they provide respite from the scorching heat witnessed in almost all parts of the subcontinent, it symbolizes end of water shortage in urban areas of the country, but creates problem to many homeless people in the country.

For Mumbai, Monsoon rains also mean slow traffic movements resulting in delay in reaching destination and utter confusion and chaos. But for kids, it is merry time and despite severe warning by their parents, they indulge in rain bath and enjoy every moments of monsoon and thanks god

by stretching their hands towards sky for such a beautiful shower. Next best thing for kids is holiday due to heavy rains and no school means no homework also. Am I right kids?

It is also good time for doctors, with all due respect, to work overtime and make some good fortune by administering patients suffering from common cold and fever-Seasonal diseases.

But despite all these problems related to monsoon rains, they are welcomed by one and all and I think I should also pamper myself by indulging in rain bath as it is raining in Mumbai now and AT LAST MONSOON HAS ARRIVED IN MUMBAI.